411's NFL Round Up 3.04.08
Posted by Emmett Wilks on 03.04.2008
A look at the big free agent signings and the just as big resignings. Also, cooling down the love for Chris Young, and the Mock Drafts Top 10.
Hey everybody. The NFL landscape got a nice little makeover with free agency this week. Many solid players will be donning new uniforms this fall, much to the delight of their new teams; for now. Just like the Draft, free agency is becoming one giant crapshoot. While it still provides some greater assurances than the Draft (let's face it, they did prove something in order to want you to sign them), too many occasions have occurred over the past few years where a team has just totally blown money for a free agent who just did not want to produce anymore. Amazingly enough, I find very tricky to determine who will or won't be able to perform when they reach there new cities. Of course, no one can foresee injury, and the lack of will after $10 million guaranteed.
FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
CRAZIEST SIGNING SPREE Tie
The J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets, are becoming the new Washington Redskins with their free agent spending. No one has had a wilder week than the Jets. The Jets off-season has been busy, with the addition of All-World guard Alan Faneca and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. Yesterday, they signed veteran offensive lineman Damien Woody and defensive end/linebacker Calvin Pace to their squad, giving the offensive and defensive lines a big, bolstered new look. I like the new additions quite a bit. Jenkins was on the verge of becoming the NFL's best interior lineman a few seasons ago before injury slowed him a bit, but he still warrants his fair share of double teams. Faneca and Woody on the o-line can make this unit a special one. Look what happened in Dallas last year with the addition of Leonard Davis. He propelled what was a solid o-line into the best in the NFL, and the Jets have a possibility now the Woody and 3rd year pro D'Brickashaw Fergusson (looking to rebound from a small sophomore slump) at tackles, Faneca and Brandon Moore at the guards, and emerging star Nick Mangold at center, you may be looking at an elite group in the New York. What I just plain don't like is the trading of Jonathan Vilma to New Orleans for an undisclosed draft pick, which for the value, should be a 2nd and 3rd round pick. Though on injured reserve for much of 2007, Vilma is among the best middle linebackers in the NFL when healthy. This could prove to be a beneficial trade for both parties, as New York has done a mini housecleaning this off-season and New Orleans is trying to get a defense together.
In a close second with the Jets is Cleveland Browns. Jamal Lewis and Derek Anderson were both locked down to three year deals, grabbed two D-lineman in Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, and continually improving Donte Stallworth. I cannot imagine that Browns GM Phil Savage got a whole lot of sleep the last two weeks or so.
SMARTEST SIGNINGS
The drama of the Randy Moss off-season ended with a quite whimper as the Patriots resigned the record breaking receiver to a three year, $27 million deal yesterday. The thoughts of a free agent Moss looking around the league would have provided great fodder for people in the industry to discuss, but I don't think New England really ever wanted him to get too far away. Moss' transformation last season from underachieving problem child to the fruition of his promise from 1998 was miraculous, and New England is the place he needs to stay.
Big Ben Rothlisberger got his big payday. With a contract worth $102 million over the next eight years, Big Ben is one of the leagues top paid players after a career year with 32 TD's and just 11 picks. The real mind boggling this is that he is still just 26 years of age and may have 10 years of good football left in him. Few players walk into the league and have the immediate success of Rothlisberger, and barring injury, I believe that he will be challenging for career wins when his career is winding down. A great move a always by the Steelers and the Rooney family to keep the stability and leader of the team together.
In what may turn out to be a huge sleeper pick, the Kansas City Chiefs picked up former Falcons LB Demorrio Williams. Williams, a 5 year vet, has shown solid consistency throughout his career and could become potentially become a star.
The Falcons themselves acquired Brian Griese from the Bears. This only makes me more certain that Matt Ryan is Atlanta bound, making Griese a great transition QB for the Boston College prospect.
QUESTIONABLE SIGNINGS
But New England did let two cornerbacks go in the form of Asante Samuel to Philadelphia and Randall Gay to New Orleans. I am hot and cold about these two signings. I like the addition of Gay to New Orleans, who for the past three seasons have had a major propensity in giving up the long pass. But the Eagles acquisition of Samuel just didn't feel that great. At the end of the 2006 campaign, Samuel was perhaps the hottest corner in football, following a 10 interception, shut down season. Last season was again strong for Samuel, and despite some big play let ups in the playoffs, he played well.
In a sad move, the Falcons cut veteran RB Warrick Dunn to open up space for newly acquired Michael Turner. While the Turner signing is a good for the Falcons, the lose of Dunn could be the blessing for a willing team. An 11-year vet, I still believe that Dunn has another two years left in those legs and would be a very good number 2 back on a team. But like all vets nearing the end, he'll have to take the big pay cut if he wants a shot on another squad.
DOWNRIGHT SILLY
The 49er's gave former Bengals defensive end a six year, $45 million contract that immediately left me shaking my head. While very good player, Smith is still far from an elite at the position, and was paid All-Pro money. This is one of the tough parts about free agency for teams. Often times it's a matter of timing. While Smith may not even be among the top 10 defensive ends in the league, he was the best right now, and that more than anything warranted him the money. I think he will do for San Francisco exactly what he did for Cincy; good, steady, consistent production, but no more.
It's the Raiders; so really, it's not that much of a surprise. Front office announced d-lineman Tommy Kelley's resigning to the tune of seven year, $50 million dollars. That's for 49 career games and 13 sacks. I have no words to describe this one. And then, the Raiders went and signed Giants safety Gibril Wilson to six year, $39, $16 million guaranteed. Neither have made a Pro Bowl in their career. After a while with the Raiders, you learn to just shut up and let it slide. Al Davis will be Al Davis.
THE NEW GOLDEN BOY?
I am sorry, but I am just not buying into the hype around Chris Long. The young many looks to be an excellent prospect at this point, warranting a top 5 draft status. That is not what I am becoming tired about. It is more the fact that once the media latches onto a guy, the hype machine around him becomes so intense that it is nearly impossible to live up to the expectations that are put on him. If I were to have not seen or heard anything about Long until today, I would believe that the NFL was bracing for the second coming of Reggie White. His excellent senior season, his scintillating combine performance, the fact he has a heck of great dad (another nauseating fact I'll get to later) and he interviews magnificently. But I do not think this young man warrants the top selection in the draft. While his career at Virginia was stellar, it was far from legendary. I don't want to say it, but Long does have a little Tony Mandarich and Mike Mamula feel to him. Guys who worked out like Tarzan and performed like his little brother, but not Jane. Like all of these guys it is a wait and see. As I said last week, the combine can teach us many positive things. But it will not make me believe this guy is as good as the hype that is now surrounding him is.
ROUND UP'S MOCK DRAFT- The Top 10
1. MIAMI DOLPHINS Glenn Dorsey: DT, LSU 6-1, 310 lbs.
Still the best guy to start building a new defense around.
2. St. Louis Rams Jake Long: OT, Michigan 6-7, 309 lbs.
Look what happened to this team when Orlando Pace went down. Tackle may be the 2nd most important position in football, and Long is a terrific prospect.
3. Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan: QB, Boston College 6-5, 221 lbs.
The clear number 1 QB in my book.
4. Oakland Raiders Chris Long: DE, Virginia 6-3, 266 lbs.
A match made in heaven. Would contribute immediately.
5. Kansas City Chiefs Sedrick Ellis USC DT, 6-1, 308 lbs.
Shooting up the boards with great workouts.
6. New York Jets Darren McFadden Arkansas RB, 6-2, 212 lbs
Just too good to pass up, especially after seeing what Adrian Peterson did in Minnesota.
7. New England Patriots Vernon Gholtson Ohio State LB, 6-4, 255
Startlingly great Combine moved him into Top 10
8. Baltimore Ravens Ryan Clady OT Boise State, 6-6 317 lbs.
With the Great Ogden gone, there is a mammoth hole to fill at left tackle.
9. Cincinnati Bengals Derek Harvey DE Florida 6-4, 258 lbs.
An immediate impact type player with great athleticism
